The first European explorations of the area commenced in the late 1800's.
In 1844, Governor George Grey led a party which examined the South East. Among the members of the party were Thomas Burr, the Deputy Surveyor General, and the artist, George French Angas.
The expedition left Adelaide on 10th April 1844 and travelled as far as Mount Gambier. After leaving Mount Gambier on the return trip, Mount Burr was sighted and named after Thomas Burr's father.
In 1873, an Act of Parliament to encourage the Planting of Forest Trees was passed.
The Woods and Forests Department was probably the first forestry department formed in the British Commonwealth. The early nursery plantings in the South East about 1876 were largely of native eucalyptus, hardwoods from Europe and various conifers from Europe and North America.
One of the most successful species was radiata pine, also known as remarkable pine, a native of the Monterey Peninsula, California. The earliest plantations in the South East were at Mount Muirhead, and Mount McIntyre, either side of Mount Burr. Plantings grew rapidly under the direction of forester Francis Kay, and by 1914 there were 4000 ha of pine forests in the region.
Plantations continued to expand in the 1920's and 30's with the aid of financial assistance from the British Government (to encourage emigration) and employment scheme's in the depression years. During this period, private forestry companies commenced operations as growers and timber millers.
Mt Burr Timber Mill opened for production in May 1931 and became the first sawmill settlement established by the Woods & Forests Dept. in South Australia. The workers lived in small wooden huts called single men's quarters. By 1932 four houses were built and were ready for occupation. There was no water, no electricity, no fences and no roads. A grocery store with a Post Office was built by the Woods & Forests.
In 1932 an inaugural meeting was held to form the Mt Burr Cricket Club and a pitch was laid, (now in the playground.) In 1935 a Progress Association was formed.
"The residents cleared and enlarged by hand a natural depression to form a very rough little oval, and a tennis court was built nearby. Then it was extended to the hall and the hall was built a beautiful hall, all timber, which was built by the men of Mt Burr." A transcript from Mrs G. Pettman, the first woman to live in the Mt Burr township.
In 1940 another inaugural meeting was called to form a Football Club, but owing to World War II, play did not commence until 1946 with Mr F Gibaut, the first coach.
"When they started they had a wonderful team and they've still got a wonderful team, with the young ones that came on. Mt Burr was very strong with football when it started." Mrs G. Pettman, 1981
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